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6 governors do away with gun-free zones at military facilities in wake of Chattanooga shooting

(Photo: Associated Press)

by Jennifer CruzGovernors in at least half a dozen states announced over the weekend
that their military personnel will no longer be unarmed. The landmark
decision came following a terrorist attack at a recruiting center and reserve station in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Thursday that left five servicemen dead.

Indiana, Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma are among
the states that will soon allow National Guardsmen and other military
personnel to carry guns at military facilities, the Associated Press reported.

“As commander-in-chief of the Indiana National Guard, I will not
permit our citizen-soldiers to remain unable to defend themselves and
our citizens at facilities in our state,” Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said in a statement
Saturday. “Hoosiers may be assured that those who have stepped forward
to defend our state and nation will have the ability to defend
themselves.”

As part
of Gov. Pence’s plan to increase security, an executive order issued
Saturday gave authority for National Guard personnel at all recruiting
offices and state military facilities to be armed. The governor also
ordered the state adjutant general to reevaluate security at these
facilities.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott said in a recent interview with CNN that
it must be understood there are those in the country which mean to harm
our military.

“They need to be safe and they need to be armed,” he said, referring to military personnel, and Saturday he issued an executive order to arm the state’s guardsmen.

Gov. Scott also called for improvements in security at recruitment
centers, as well as collaboration with local law enforcement to conduct
regular security checks. Scott ordered the evaluation and necessary
upgrades on security at recruitment offices, including bullet-proof
glass on storefront facilities and video surveillance. But while such
changes are being made, the governor also called for all six storefront
recruitment offices to be relocated to National Guard Armories.

“It has become clear that our military personnel must have the
ability to defend themselves against these type of attacks,” Texas Gov.
Greg Abbott said in a statement after issuing an executive order Saturday.

“Arming the National Guard at these bases will not only serve as a
deterrent to anyone wishing to do harm to our service men and women, but
will enable them to protect those living and working on the base,” Gov.
Abbott added.

Likewise, as a means to preserve life, property and security, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal ordered the adjutant general to arm selected active duty members of the Louisiana National Guard.

“Our hearts break at the news of another senseless act of violence
and terror, this time out of Chattanooga. Our prayers go out to all the
families of the victims, especially the family of Staff Sgt. David Wyatt
of Russellville, one of Arkansas’s own,” Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said in a statement.

“I want to join in those who are calling for greater security at our
recruiting stations and military installations. We’ve had numerous
instances of attacks. Clearly they are a target, and for us to have
unarmed military personnel makes no sense, which is why I am directing
Major General Mark Berry to arm full-time personnel as he deems
necessary at military installations,” Gov. Hutchinson concluded after
issuing an executive order Friday.

In response to what she called a “cowardly attack,” Oklahoma Gov. Mary Falling authorized
Maj. Gen. Robbie Asher to arm Guardsmen with whatever weapons he deems
necessary for the security of the military facilities and protection of
those within.